Kamala Harris celebrated her 60th birthday on Sunday while in the midst of a closely contested election battle with Donald Trump, who is 78. Speaking at a Baptist megachurch near Atlanta, Georgia, she urged the audience to embrace values of compassion in contrast to the hate and fear spread by others.
A Call for Compassion and Justice
While Harris didn’t directly mention Trump, her comments were clearly aimed at her Republican opponent. The crowd, which had sung “Happy Birthday” to her, nodded knowingly at her subtle references to Trump’s campaign tactics.
In her speech, Harris drew on the story of the Good Samaritan to encourage churchgoers—who are typically a strong Democratic demographic—to vote and “shine the light in moments of darkness.” She contrasted this with Trump’s increasingly dark rhetoric, which has included inflammatory remarks about undocumented migrants, threats of revenge, and praise for autocrats like Vladimir Putin.
“Where we go from here is up to us as Americans and as people of faith,” Harris said. “What kind of country do we want to live in—one of chaos, fear, and hate, or one of freedom, compassion, and justice?”
Trump’s Ongoing Campaign and Surrogates
Harris’s remarks came as the election, just over two weeks away, intensifies in key battleground states like Georgia and Pennsylvania. Both candidates had planned events in Pennsylvania on Sunday, a state critical to both their paths to victory.
In response to Harris’s criticisms, Trump has mocked her as well, claiming she lacks energy and making disparaging remarks about her stamina. He also took aim at her health, with his campaign defending his own well-being, despite his offbeat public appearances.
Voters Prepare for Election Day
Polls suggest that despite the president’s eccentric and sometimes baffling speeches, Trump’s age and off-script comments have not yet dissuaded many voters. Both campaigns are focusing heavily on key states as they make their final pushes toward Election Day.
To energize her base, Harris has enlisted the help of celebrity surrogates like pop stars Lizzo and Usher. Lizzo, speaking at a Detroit rally, emphasized the need for a woman president, stating, “It’s about damn time!” Usher, performing in Atlanta, encouraged voters to support Harris’s campaign, saying, “I’m counting on you.”
Elon Musk Joins the Campaign Trail
Meanwhile, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk also made his presence felt in Pennsylvania, holding a series of rallies. In a unique move, Musk announced a daily cash giveaway, offering $1 million per day to a randomly selected voter in Pennsylvania who signed his organization’s petition.
Both candidates are bringing out their top surrogates in these final weeks to secure victory in crucial states, and the intensity of the race shows no sign of slowing.
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